Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10 (MPM2D)

Adult High School 2023 Semester 2

Mr. Daniel Cho-En Lee

Topic 3.3 Sine law and Cosine law

So far, we have been solving trigonometric problems in a right triangle. However, in reality
there are easily irregular (scalene) triangles. We can use the sine law and the cosine law to
solve them.

the sine law

Let’s draw a random triangle with sides a, b, and c.

We can draw a height perpendicular to any side.

ℎ1 ℎ2
sinA = 𝑏
sinA = 𝑐
h1 = b · sinA h2 = c ⋅ sinA

ℎ1 ℎ2
sinB = 𝑎
sinC = 𝑎
h1 = a ⋅ sinB h2 = a ⋅ sinC

b ⋅ sinA = a ⋅ sinB c ⋅ sinA = a ⋅ sinC

𝑏 𝑎 𝑐 𝑎
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐵
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐶
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴

𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐵 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐶

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐵
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐶
or 𝑎
= 𝑏
= 𝑐

1
 Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10 (MPM2D)
Adult High School 2023 Semester 2
Mr. Daniel Cho-En Lee

the cosine law

Let’s break up side c into m and n.
c=m+n
n=c-m ①
2 2 2
h +m =b
h2 = b2 - m2 ②
𝑚
cosA = 𝑏
m = b ⋅ cosA ③

a2 = h2 + n2 substitute with ① and ②

a2 = b2 - m2 + (c-m)2
a2 = b2 - m2 + c2 -2cm + m2
a2 = b2 + c2 -2cm substitute with ③
a2 = b2 + c2 -2cb⋅cosA

the cosine law (the law of cosine)

a2 = b2 + c2 -2bc⋅cosA
b2 = a2 + c2 -2ac⋅cosB
c2 = a2 + b2 -2ab⋅cosC

Note: You can view c2 = a2 + b2 as a special case of the cosine law, as cos90º = 0. The smaller angle C is,
the greater cosC becomes, and the shorter the side c gets.

2
 Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10 (MPM2D)
Adult High School 2023 Semester 2
Mr. Daniel Cho-En Lee

Practice Test 3
Nel p427

a) w(sin60°) = 8.0(sin50°)
8.0(𝑠𝑖𝑛50°)
w= (𝑠𝑖𝑛60°)
= 7.076 = 7.1

b) k(sin85°) = 9.5(sin43°)
9.5(𝑠𝑖𝑛43°)
k= (𝑠𝑖𝑛85°)
= 6.504 = 6.5

Nel p430. Find the length of the other two sides.

𝑠𝑖𝑛80° 𝑠𝑖𝑛55°
12.0
= 𝑏
𝑏(𝑠𝑖𝑛80°) = 12. 0(𝑠𝑖𝑛55°)
12(𝑠𝑖𝑛55°)
𝑏= 𝑠𝑖𝑛80°
= 9. 981 (𝑚)

𝑠𝑖𝑛80° 𝑠𝑖𝑛45°
12.0
= 𝑐
𝑐(𝑠𝑖𝑛80°) = 12. 0(𝑠𝑖𝑛45°)
12(𝑠𝑖𝑛45°)
𝑐= 𝑠𝑖𝑛80°
= 8. 616 (𝑚)

3
 Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10 (MPM2D)
Adult High School 2023 Semester 2
Mr. Daniel Cho-En Lee

Nel p431. Find the length of the two rafters.

Angle on top = 180° - 26° - 66° = 88°
𝑠𝑖𝑛88° 𝑠𝑖𝑛26°
15.3
= 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒
𝑠𝑖𝑛88° 𝑠𝑖𝑛66°
15.3
= 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒

3a) the third angle is 180° - 53° - 68° = 59°

𝑠𝑖𝑛59° 𝑠𝑖𝑛53°
22.5
= 𝑑
𝑑(𝑠𝑖𝑛59°) = 22. 5(𝑠𝑖𝑛53°)
22.5(𝑠𝑖𝑛53°)
𝑑= 𝑠𝑖𝑛59°
= 20.96 = 21.0 (cm)
Note: if the question does not specify how many decimal places are required in the final
answer, round to the same decimal places as in the given measurements. However, it is better
to keep more decimal places during the calculation. Rounding in the middle of calculation
produces errors.

4
 Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10 (MPM2D)
Adult High School 2023 Semester 2
Mr. Daniel Cho-En Lee

3d)
𝑠𝑖𝑛θ 𝑠𝑖𝑛29°
45.2
= 24.4
45.2(𝑠𝑖𝑛29°)
𝑠𝑖𝑛θ = 24.4
= 0. 8981
−1
θ = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (0. 8981) = 63. 91°

3e)
𝑠𝑖𝑛50° 𝑠𝑖𝑛α
5.0
= 6.5
sinα (5.0) = sin50° (6.5)
𝑠𝑖𝑛50°(6.5)
𝑠𝑖𝑛α = 5.0
= 0. 9959
α = sin-1(0.9959) = 84.78°
Note: do not round to 1 ! The best practice is to let the calculator hold the complete answer.
𝑠𝑖𝑛50°(6.5)
After processing 5.0
, simply press “sin-1” (shift sin) on the calculator.

NEL p437. Find the three angles

|EF|2 = |DF|2 + |DE|2 - 2 |DF| |DE| cosD

2.52 = 2.62 + 3.62 - 2(2.6)(3.6) cosD
2(2.6)(3.6) cosD = 2.62 + 3.62 - 2.52
2 2 2
2.6 +3.6 −2.5
cosD = 2(2.6)(3.6)
= 0. 7196
∠D = cos-1(0.7196) = 43.98°

We can do a second cosine law to find a second angle.

|DF|2 = |EF|2 + |DE|2 - 2 |EF| |DE| cosE
2.62 = 2.52 + 3.62 - 2(2.5)(3.6) cosE

5
 Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10 (MPM2D)
Adult High School 2023 Semester 2
Mr. Daniel Cho-En Lee
2 2 2
2.5 +3.6 −2.6
cosE = 2(2.5)(3.6)
= 0.6917
-1
∠E = cos (0.6917) = 46.24°
∠F = 180° - 43.98° - 46.24° = 89.78°

NEL p438

a) w2 = 225 + 256 - 480(0.2588) = 356.77

w = 356. 77 = 18.89

c) 2304 = 2116 + 2025 - 4140 cosY

2116+2025−2304
cosY = 4140
= 0. 4437
∠Y = 63.66°

NEL p441. Find all angles and sides

|BC|2 = 322 + 402 - 2(32)(40)cos58°

= 1024 + 1600 - 1356.59 = 1267.41
|BC| = 1267. 41 = 35.60 (m) Don’t forget the unit!

40 35.6
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐶
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛58°
40(𝑠𝑖𝑛58°)
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐶 = 35.6
= 0. 9529
∠C = sin-1(0.9529) = 72.34°
∠B = 180° - 58° - 72.34° = 49.66°

6
 Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10 (MPM2D)
Adult High School 2023 Semester 2
Mr. Daniel Cho-En Lee

NEL p443.

|AC|2 = 10.52 + 9.52 - 2(10.5)(9.5) cos40°

= 200.5 - 152.826
= 47.674
|AC| = 6.905 (cm)

NEL p443.

2.22 = 3.52 + 3.92 - 2(3.5)(3.9) cosθ

2(3.5)(3.9) cosθ= 3.52 + 3.92 - 2.22
2 2 2
3.5 + 3.9 − 2.2 22.62
cosθ =
2(3.5)(3.9)
= 27.3
22.62
θ = cos-1(
27.3
)= 34.05°

7
 Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10 (MPM2D)
Adult High School 2023 Semester 2
Mr. Daniel Cho-En Lee

= 47.674
|AC| = 6.905 (cm)

8
 Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10 (MPM2D)
Adult High School 2023 Semester 2
Mr. Daniel Cho-En Lee

Kahoot 3.3 Questions

1) What is the best situation to use the sine law or the cosine law?
a) an equilateral triangle
b) a right triangle
c) a special right triangle (e.g. 30°-60°-90°)
d) an irregular triangle

2) Three sides of a triangle are known: 5cm, 6cm, 7cm. What is the best law to find out one
angle measure?
a) the sine law
b) the cosine law
c) the tangent law
d) the pythagorean theorem

Q3-4 Q5
24.5
3) 𝑠𝑖𝑛58°
= ?
𝑠𝑖𝑛55°
a) 𝑥
𝑠𝑖𝑛67°
b) 𝑥
𝑥
c) 𝑠𝑖𝑛67°
𝑥
d) 𝑠𝑖𝑛55°

4) 𝑥 = ? Round to 2 decimal places.

5) θ = ? Round to 2 decimal places.

9
 Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10 (MPM2D)
Adult High School 2023 Semester 2
Mr. Daniel Cho-En Lee

Q6 Q7
6) 𝑥 = ? Round to 2 decimal places.

7) θ = ? Round to 2 decimal places.

10
 Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10 (MPM2D)
Adult High School 2023 Semester 2
Mr. Daniel Cho-En Lee

Additional Kahoots for practice!

MBF3C 1.5

11
 Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10 (MPM2D)
Adult High School 2023 Semester 2
Mr. Daniel Cho-En Lee

MBF3C 1.6

12
Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10 (MPM2D)
Adult High School 2023 Semester 2
Mr. Daniel Cho-En Lee

13